Photosynthesis Limiting Factor (Athena Meltzer)
Rate of Photosynthesis & Limiting Factors
Athena Meltzer
Principles
To demonstrate that the rate of photosynthesis will increase when the amount of light energy available increases (provided all other conditions are kept constant)
Standards
MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
MS-LS1-7. Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through an organism.
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life : The chemical reaction by which plants produce complex food molecules (sugars) requires an energy input (i.e., from sunlight) to occur. In this reaction, carbon dioxide and water combine to form carbon-based organic molecules and release oxygen
Developing and Using Models
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Materials needed/Procedure/Student Questions
Model Demonstration & Explanation Template
POGIL group oral presentation rubric for students
Explanation
Photosynthesis has several limiting factors, the amount of light being one of them. In this lab, students will observe the difference between two models of photosynthesis. One setup has a light bulb that is 20 cm away from the beaker that contains elodea in water with sodium bicarbonate added to it. Students will observe that the setup that has the light bulb is producing more bubbles (which the students should interpret as oxygen gas) than the setup without the lamp.
Everyday examples of the principles illustrated
An increase in the amount of available light will lead to an increase in the rate of photosynthesis (given that enough carbon dioxide present)
An increase in the amount of light energy will change to heat energy and cause evaporation, part of the water and carbon cycles.
Photos
